Dynamic analysis on ecological footprint and carrying capacity in Guangxi

ObjectiveThe present study was conducted to analyze variation process and characteristics of ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity and study dynamic variation trend of ecological system in Guangxi, in order to provide reference for promoting regional sustainable development under urbanization process. MethodEcological footprint method was applied to calculate per capita ecological footprint, per capita ecological carrying capacity, per capita ecologi-cal surplus and deficit and ecological footprint for ten thousand yuan GDP in Guangxi during 2005-2014. Variation of e-cosystem was analyzed. ResultFrom 2005 to 2014, per capita ecological footprint of Guangxi soared from 1.6201 ha/cap to 2.7430 ha. Per capita ecological footprints of fossil energy land and cropland ranked top 2. There was no substantial in-crease in per capita ecological carrying capacity, which increased from 0.7173 ha/cap to 0.7665 ha/cap. Per capita ecologi-cal carrying capacity of grassland reduced by 99.33%. Per capita ecological deficit increased from 0.9028 ha to 1.1965 ha, which indicated that ecosystem in Guangxi was overloaded progressively. Ecological deficit of fossil energy land was the most serious, followed by cropland. Ecological footprint for ten thousand yuan GDP decreased from 1.8949 ha/ten thousand yuan to 0.8320 ha/ten thousand yuan, which indicated that resource utilization rate improved in Guangxi. SuggestionTo achieve sustainable development in process of urbanization, Guangxi needs to optimize industrial structure, transform devel-opment mode, strengthen protection of farmland, improve land productivity, adjust energy structure and develop clean energy.